Composite block and process of making same.



UNITED STATES PATENT PREDERIUK W. DUNNELL, ()F SPRINGFIELD, MASSAUIIUSICT'IH, I-\SSIGNOI BY UlltiGCT ANI) MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, F (INBLSICYIC DONOGIIUE, ()Nlt-SEVEN'III TO JAMES J. MURPHY, ()NlC-SlGYENTlItl TO JAMES II. IDMONDS, ONE-SIGVEN'IH TU HENRY M. l ltltYllh, (IN I-SEVENTH l-SICVICNIIH TO CLIFFORD ll. l fl'l llhllt, ALL

T0 DONALD B. RICE, ANI) ON OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACIIUSICTTITS.

CQMPOSlTE BLOCK ND PROCESS OF MAKINGSAEWL No. scenes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1906.

To all whom, it rim/y concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. DUN- NELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of i pringlield, Ham )den county, 5 Massachusetts, have invents certain new and useful Improvements in Composite Blocks and Processes of Making the Same, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a new prodto not or composition of matter for use for paving-blocks, railroad-ties, and other an alogous purposes.

The roduct consists, essentially, in a block formed of disintegrated scra )s of leather treated chemically and reduced to a composite mass or block.

The process consists in a method ol treatment hereinafter set forth and claimed.

It is my object toroduce a block of any desircd'sha e which sliall possess in the highest attaina )le degree the properties of durability, imperviousness to moisture, strength, and solidity. To this end I make use of leather scraps or refuse leather of any kind, 2 5 which I treat as follows: The scraps or pieces of leather are first ground up or comminutcd by grinding or attrition. I prefer to subject the leather to a grinding or rubbing process rather than cutting or chopping it up, since the disintegrating it by attrition is better calculated to preserve the continuity ofthe fabric and can be readily accomplished by the use of a grindstone, such as are used in the manufacture of wood-pulp or paper. 3 5 ground or comminuted mass of eathcr is then introduced into a tub or vat provided with a suitable quantity of water to saturate or thoroughly moisten the shredded leather. The water may be Worked through the mass of 4 scrap leather by means of a heater or Wheel, and after this step I add a quantity of coal tar pitch, rock-asphalt, or other similar material, which should be thoroughly Worked into and through the mass -of moistened 4 5 leather. This serves as a hinder or cement to cement together the mass when it is dried and, furthermore, renders the product quite impervious to moisture. Without such a moisture-proof cement or hinder the com- 5 posite leather blocks would soak up moisture The p when exposed to the Weather, swell up,- and spell. i may also add with good results a small quantity of linseed-oil or some mineral oil and a little resin.

The proportions of the respective ingrodi cnts used do not require to be exact, but I have attained excellent results by using the several ingredients in the following proportions: hlix up, say, eighty pounds of scrap leather with about fifty gallons of water. After the Water has been Worked into the leather then add about fifteen gallons of coaltar pitch, rock-asphalt, or the like and mix this thoroughly with the saturated mass of leather. Instead of using so much coal-tar pitch 1 may and ihdcod have used a mixture ol ten gallons ol coal-tar pii ch, live gallons oi linseed-oil or mineral oil, and thrcc gallons of melted rosin. These three ingredients may be pi'iured into the mass in any order and mixed up together with it. After the ingredients have been thoroughly mixed or Worked into the mass the resulting pulp is then run into molds and allowed to dry. This drying processmay, if desired, behastened by the application of pressure, which squeezes out a part of the moisture. When the mass nas dried in the mold, it will be found to be a solid homogeneous darlcbrown substance impervious to moisture, having great resisting strength and durability. it may be cut up into blocks of any desired shape to suit the different purposes for which it is desired to use it. i

It will be understood that the quantities named herein are not at all absolute and'that equivalent substances capable of harming the same office in the composition may he eniployed. For example, if a less quantity of Water he used, While the oulp will be less thin and fluid it would robably dry out faster in the mold.- The oil is an important ingredi oust, since by thoroughlypermeating the mass of the composition it prevents the percoiation of Water and consequent deterioration or rotting ol the material. it will be understood that vI do not confine in f to any predel ermincd order or mode of mixing the several ingredients, the main point being to socure a thorough and intimate misting oi the Various substances before'the pulp is run into the mold.

Without attempting to set forth all the various substitutes that may be employed for the ingredients mentioned or the variations which may be made in the practice of my vprocess, what I claim isexpel superfluous water and to harden it into solid mass, substantially as described.

A composite block consisting of pul made .of shredded leather saturated mt Water and Hibiwu'gfhlx ,miired with coal-tar pitch, resin and oil, substantially as indi- I cated.

3. The above-described substance com- 20 prising a homogeneous mass of shredded eather intimately mixed throughout with water, coal-tar pitch and oil, solidified and hardened under pressure, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of September, 1902.

FREDERIOII N. DUNNELL.

' In presence of A E H. YOUNG, O. L. Yo'sse: w 

